NWF Hangs on to Defeat #20 Eastern Florida 62-60 on Saturday

NICEVILLE, Florida – Saturday's showdown between No. 20 Eastern Florida and No. 5 Northwest Florida State lived up to the hype, delivering a thrilling contest with ten ties and 20 lead changes as both teams vied for supremacy. In the end, the Raiders managed to outlast the Titans, securing their 14th win of the season, courtesy of some late-game heroics from Tavion Banks and Jamal Sumlin.

The two sides boasted nearly identical shooting percentages, with the Raiders hitting a 40.0% clip as a unit, and the Titans connecting on 40.7% of their shot attempts. Eastern Florida held the advantage from beyond the arc, sinking six more threes than NWF. However, the Raiders dominated the boards, securing a plus-nine rebound differential over the Titans, translating to more second-chance points.

NWF clinched the victory, powered by their starters who collectively contributed 57 of the Raiders' 62 points. Tajuan Simpkins led the charge with 17 points, accompanied by five rebounds and four steals. Jamal Sumlin delivered 12 points in the Raiders' win, marking the second consecutive game in which he surpassed the double-digit mark. RaSheed Jones (10) and Tavion Banks (12) also had commendable performances, with Jones matching a season-high in rebounds with seven boards. Speaking of boards, Raiders' leading rebounder Jadyn Shider notched his seventh double-figure rebounding performance of the season with 10 boards for the night.

This triumph marks the Raiders' third win over an NJCAA top-25 opponent this season, elevating their record to 3-1 against ranked opponents. NWF advances to 14-1 on the year and will enjoy an extended break before returning to the court on December 30 to face Calhoun College.

FIRST HALF

Jamal Sumlin ignited the game with a successful basket inside, securing the first points for the Raiders. Eastern Florida swiftly responded with a three-pointer and a layup, claiming a 5-2 lead with 15:53 remaining in the half. The Raiders, however, managed to reclaim the lead at the 15-minute mark after Tajuan Simpkins dropped in a pair of layups. Nevertheless, a Titans' three-pointer promptly shifted the lead back in their favor, bringing the score to 8-6 with under 15 minutes to play in the half.

The Titans maintained this lead for the next eight minutes until Tavion Banks evened the game at 17-17 with a layup inside. Despite a three-pointer by the Titans pushing them ahead by three, the Raiders persevered, keeping the deficit within reach. Eventually, the Raiders regained the lead with under a minute left in the half, as RaSheed Jones sank a triple from the corner off a Jadyn Shider assist, putting the Raiders up by one. NWF carried this advantage into the halftime break, leading the Titans 27-23 after 20 minutes of action.

SECOND HALF

Eastern Florida emerged from the locker rooms and buried a three-pointer, narrowing the gap to within one. Tavion Banks responded swiftly with a three-pointer of his own, restoring the Raiders' lead to four. However, the Titans managed to knock down yet another triple on the other end to keep the game within a single possession. Eastern Florida regained the lead following a second-chance layup inside.

Both teams exchanged leads over the next seven minutes until the Titans secured a three-point cushion with consecutive layups. The Raiders clawed back to take a three-point lead after Simpkins and Sumlin traded a pair of layups inside the ten-minute mark. An Titan three-pointer with 8:14 remaining leveled the game at 45-45, with neither team able to pull away. The teams traded blows over the next four minutes until the Titans connected on back-to-back triples, giving them a two-point lead with 2:24 remaining.

Down the stretch, the Raiders sought a pivotal play from one of their key players. Tavion Banks rose to the occasion, hitting a go-ahead three from the corner, granting the Raiders a 59-58 lead. Eastern Florida responded with a made layup at the 30-second mark, reclaiming a one-point advantage. In search of an answer, Jamal Sumlin drew contact on his way to the basket, earning a trip to the line with an opportunity to give the Raiders the lead. He sank both free throws, securing a one-point advantage for the Raiders.

Needing a defensive stop, NWF forced the Titans into a turnover on the inbound. The Titans intentionally fouled Tajuan Simpkins, who split a pair of free throws at the line, putting NWF ahead by two. In a last-second attempt, the Titans raced down the floor, hoping for a good look to tie or win the game. Ultimately, Eastern Florida did get the shot they desired, but couldn't connect from deep, as the Raiders hung on to defeat the Titans 62-60.

UP NEXT

The Raiders are set for a three-week hiatus before resuming action on December 30 and 31, engaging in a two-game series in Panama City against Calhoun and Georgia Highlands. NWF will then return to Raider Arena on January 6 for a matchup against Southern Mississippi before diving into Conference play on January 13 against Chipola.

For complete coverage of Northwest Florida State Athletics, visit nwfraiders.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Northwest Florida Raiders), Instagram (@nwfraiders) and X (@NWFRaiders)

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